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Deploying a Static Content Server (IIS 7)

  • Article

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista

A static content Web server is the most basic configuration that provides support for HTML Web sites. You can use a static content Web server to host internal or external Web sites. When you install IIS 7, the default installation provides all the IIS modules required to support a static content Web server, including the ability to serve static HTML files, documents, and images. IIS 7 also provides support for default document, directory browsing, logging, and Anonymous authentication for the static content server.

The following table describes the purpose of the IIS modules that are required for a static content server.

IIS module name Description

Static Content

Allows the Web server to publish static Web file formats.

Default Document

Allows configuration of the default page of the site.

Directory Browsing

Allows browsing of the content of the site directory.

HTTP Errors

Sends default and configured HTTP error messages when an error status code is set on a response.

HTTP Logging

Grants logging of the site activity.

Logging Tools

Provides infrastructure to manage the server logs and to automate common logging tasks.

Request Monitor

Provides infrastructure to monitor site health.

Request Filtering

Performs UrlScan tasks such as configuring allowed verbs and file name extensions, setting limits, and scanning for bad character sequences.

Static Content Compression

Performs precompression of static content.

IIS Management Console

Supports management of local and remote Web servers.

Note

You must be a member of the IIS 7 Administrators group to perform this procedure.

To deploy a static content server

You can use the Web Platform Installer (Web PI) to easily install IIS, and applications that run on IIS. Because the Web PI installs the latest versions of available Web Platform offerings, with just a few simple clicks you can download and install any new tools or updates. To learn more about the Web PI, see Learn more and install the Web PI.

You can also perform this procedure by using the Windows user interface (UI) or from a command line.

To use the UI on Windows Server 2008 or Server 2008 R2

  1. Click Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Server Manager.

  2. In Roles Summary, click Add Roles.

  3. In the Add Roles Wizard, on the Before You Begin page, click Next.

  4. On the Select Server Roles page, select Web Server (IIS), and then click Next.

Note

If an informational dialog box notifies you of required dependencies, click Add Required Role Services to accept installation of the dependencies.

  1. On the Web Server (IIS) page, click Next.

  2. On the Select Role Services page, note the preselected role services that are installed by default, and then click Install.

Note

You only have to install the IIS 7 default role services for a static content Web server.

  1. On the Summary of Features to Install page, confirm your selections, and then click Install.

  2. On the Installation Results page, confirm that your installation of the Web Server (IIS) role and required role services completed successfully, and then click Close.

  3. To verify that IIS installed successfully, type the following into a Web browser:

    https://localhost

    You should see the default IIS Welcome page.

To use the UI on Windows Vista or Windows 7

  1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

  2. In Control Panel, click Programs, and then click Turn Windows features on or off.

  3. In the Windows Features dialog box, click Internet Information Services, and then click OK.

    This installs the IIS 7 default features. You only have to install the IIS 7 default features for a static content Web server.

  4. To verify that IIS installed successfully, type the following into a Web browser:

    https://localhost

    You should see the default IIS Welcome page.

To use the command line

  • Type the following command at a Command Prompt or into a script:

    Start /w pkgmgr /iu:IIS-WebServerRole;IIS-WebServer;IIS-CommonHttpFeatures;IIS-StaticContent;IIS-DefaultDocument;IIS-DirectoryBrowsing;IIS-HttpErrors; IIS-HealthAndDiagnostics;IIS-HttpLogging;IIS-LoggingLibraries;IIS-RequestMonitor;IIS-Security;IIS-RequestFiltering;IIS-HttpCompressionStatic;IIS-WebServerManagementTools;IIS-ManagementConsole;WAS-WindowsActivationService;WAS-ProcessModel;WAS-NetFxEnvironment;WAS-ConfigurationAPI